Product test
A dream come true: I have a robot window cleaner
by Lorenz Keller
Ecovacs Winbot Mini: the cheapest window cleaner’s totally fine
20.5.2025
Translation: Megan Cornish
Pictures: Lorenz Keller
The Winbot Mini doesn’t clean windows better than I do – or faster for that matter. Yet I'm still impressed by the inexpensive robot.
I have nothing against housework – but panes of glass are my ultimate household enemy. I’ve barely finished cleaning before streaks appear again. And it drives me mad when the sun shines through. It looks exactly the same as before.
I just don’t have the patience (or, to be honest, the skills) to do a streak-free clean. At some point, I gave up: once a year, I just close my eyes and get on with it. Anything else just wears me out.
Until a year ago, when I tested a decent window-cleaning robot for the first time. I’ve since stopped taking on the challenge of dirty windows myself – I send the Winbot to do it for me instead.
Mini in both price and design
Manufacturer Ecovacs is now launching three follow-up models. I was sent the Winbot Mini for testing. At 254 Swiss francs or 300 euros at the time of the test, it’s significantly cheaper than last year’s model, which cost between 550 and 600 Swiss francs or euros.
The square robot’s called Mini because it’s smaller: its sides are 21 centimetres long instead of 27 centimetres. This is a disadvantage because it cleans a smaller area in one movement. However, a plus of the more compact design is its lower weight (1.3 kilogrammes instead of 1.6) and lower height (5.5 centimetres instead of 7.7). The Mini’s always connected to the power cable while cleaning, and a battery’s installed for emergencies only.
The manufacturer’s also reduced the Mini’s list of features. Spoiler: I only noticed a loss of quality in one area.
How the window cleaning robot works
The basic principle hasn’t changed. The Winbot uses a vacuum to attach itself to the window and moves forwards on two tracks. It cleans with a moistened fibre cloth attached at the bottom with Velcro. You also need a special cleaning solution – the first bottle’s included – which you pour into the robot’s tank.
Plugging it in, moistening the cloth, and filling the tank takes five minutes, then I start the Ecovacs. I grab it by the handle, press the button and hold the robot against the window – all of which I can do with one hand. It attaches itself firmly and moves gently back and forth. That’s the sign that I can let go.
It then moves all the way up before cleaning the window from edge to edge. The robot has no cameras or scanners – it uses the window frame as a guide, gently touching it each time. However, frameless panes such as conservatories and shower panels can’t be cleaned. They have to be hemmed in by metal, plastic or wood.
How well the Winbot really cleans
Overall, the mini version of the Winbot is barely inferior to the larger version – except when it comes to spraying the window with the cleaning fluid. While more expensive models use three separate nozzles to distribute the liquid in front of the robot across its entire width, the Winbot Mini uses an atomiser. This sprays primarily in the centre – which is imprecise in windy conditions.
Still, it cleans well enough – nothing more, nothing less. The robot drags a cloth across the window – that’s it. Don’t expect the perfect cleanliness you’d get from a professional. But the Winbot Mini doesn’t clean any worse than I do. My big win is that it takes the hated task off my hands. Even compared to its big brother, there’s hardly any difference – the more restricted fluid distribution doesn’t have much of an impact in everyday situations.
When it comes to dried-on stains, I can only remove them by hand with a lot of pressure – the Winbot Mini doesn’t stand a chance. The edges, and especially the corners, aren’t perfect either. But – for me at least – it’s «good enough». If you’re satisfied with that too, the Winbot models will be a good fit.
A nice side effect is that the robot motivates me to clean the windows more often than once a year – or, more accurately, to get them cleaned. They never get as dirty as they used to.
There’s one drawback: the Winbot’s loud. I measured 77.8 decibels standing next to it. If I’m in the same room, it sounds like someone’s vacuuming because of the suction power that holds the robot to the window.
I used about 60 ml of fluid to clean three tall, wide windows and balcony doors and three small ones. The bottle you get includes more than enough for three cleans. I don’t know if the same goes for standard, inexpensive window cleaning fluid. This one contains the usual water and alcohol, but also other ingredients. I think the price is reasonable, so I haven’t tried other cleaning products.
Changing windows is tedious
The biggest disadvantage of the window-cleaning robot concept is that – unlike a robot vacuum – it can’t clean the entire apartment automatically. Once one pane’s clean, I have to manually move it to the next one.
This is less of a problem for me, as we have fewer, large, floor-to-ceiling windows. This makes the robot doubly worthwhile – it doesn’t need a ladder like a human does and it can clean large areas at once.
For this test, I cleaned another apartment, where it cleaned the larger balcony panes in about five minutes. With the split windows, it only took a minute or two. However, there are four surfaces per window, inside and out, so, I’m constantly changing things. I’m not saving much time…
The robot sometimes had trouble orientating itself on the narrow panes, just 38 centimetres wide. It cleaned everything, but then couldn’t find the finishing touch. In other words, it didn’t stop at its starting point and signal that it was finished. Instead, it just moved up and down a bit in that area – in an endless loop.
To prevent the robot from accidentally tumbling down the facade, a safety rope is included. I don’t need it indoors or on the balcony.
So, whether the robot is really worth it depends very much on your personal situation.
Usable without the app, but not with all functions
The good news is you can get started with the Winbot Mini straight away. You don’t need to install the app.
However, this only allows you to use the standard mode. This is usually sufficient. If you’re looking for an intensive or precise clean in a specific area, you’ll need the app. This connects directly to the robot via Bluetooth, but it isn’t integrated into the Wi-Fi network.
It’s a shame that Ecovacs hasn’t included the option to switch between modes using buttons on the device. This was possible on the more expensive Winbot I tested last year.
No power? No problem!
The Winbot Mini doesn’t have a base station, so I always have to find a power outlet near the window. The robot’s cable isn’t particularly long, so I almost had no option but to use an extension cable.
I didn’t give the power supply much thought until I accidentally pulled the plug out of the socket with the sliding balcony door – while it was in use.
The robot immediately stops, a red light flashes, and a warning tone sounds. The tinny voice tells me to reconnect the device to the power supply. In a panic, I rush out onto the balcony and rescue the Winbot.
But wait, it didn’t actually fall off the window and shatter into a thousand pieces? Ecovacs obviously built in a battery for emergencies. So, I shouldn’t have been in such a hurry? I can’t find any information about this from the manufacturer, so I’m going to give it a try.
I build a soft mat for the robot, unplug it again while it’s running, and start the stopwatch. At first, I stand there, mesmerised, but then I find something else to do. It takes a whopping 39 minutes for the Winbot to actually fall off the window. But the robot’s warnings are so annoying that no one would be tempted to leave it that long. Seriously, kudos to Ecovacs for this safety feature.
By the way, after this experiment, I have to wait until the battery’s recharged before I can send the robot off again.
The robot defeats the final boss
The Winbot Mini doesn’t clean any better or faster, but I still love it. It takes a hated household chore out of my hands. Its accuracy is «satisfactory» at best, but that’s enough for me. I wouldn’t do it any better. And regular use significantly improves the windows’ base cleanliness.
The larger the window pane, the fewer the panes, the easier it is to hang the robot, and the closer the power outlets are, the more worthwhile the Ecovacs Winbot Mini is. And it defeats the annoying household boss while I watch on with a smile.
In a nutshell
The robot cleans well enough
Don’t expect perfectly clean, streak-free windows from the Winbot Mini. Anyone who enjoys cleaning their own windows will be disappointed. However, the robot does the work for you with satisfactory results. If that’s enough for you, the Ecovacs is ideal for you, especially if you have large windows.
Its compact design and low price make the Winbot Mini an excellent alternative to more expensive models – it’s easy to use and equally powerful. However, it does need a nearby power outlet, as the integrated battery is only intended for emergency use.
Pro
- Acceptable cleaning performance
- Easy to use
- Ready quickly
- Good safety system
- Comparatively low price
Contra
- Cleaning could be better on edges and corners
- Liquid not sprayed evenly
- Mode change only available in the app
Lorenz Keller
Senior Editor
Lorenz.Keller@digitecgalaxus.chGadgets are my passion - whether you need them for the home office, for the household, for sport and pleasure or for the smart home. Or, of course, for the big hobby next to the family, namely fishing.
Home + Kitchen
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